Internet-based educational framework for the correlation of lessons, resources and assessments to state standards

ABSTRACT

An apparatus assists educators in selecting achievement tools to meet an applicable one of a plurality of sets of educational standards. A first table holds a plurality of educational standards and a plurality of linked keywords. A second table holds a plurality of achievement tools, such as lesson plans, assessments and resources, and a plurality of linked keywords. A table manipulator program permits an educator to select an educational standard and shows achievement tools applicable to the selected educational standard by having a matching of keywords linked to the achievement tools to keywords linked to the educational standards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

State-mandated educational regulations require approximately 1,500 hoursof curriculum be taught in the 1,200 (or fewer) instructional hourscontained in the typical school year. This discrepancy makes itdifficult for teachers to find the time to plan and teach. In addition,teachers need to balance testing requirements with real worldpreparation. With all these demands, teachers excel when they injecttheir own vision of teaching into the classroom.

Every state in the United States (with the exception of Iowa) hasdeveloped a set of standards that are the basis for state testing ofstudents. State websites offer the standards. However, these aregenerally not in a searchable database and do not provide teachers withwhat they need most: an easy way to access state standards, to view themin the context of the curriculum that they can teach to students and tohave the ability to add their own instructional materials to thestandards. Teachers also need a way to evaluate the importance of eachstandard based on the occurrence on state tests and on to relevantlife-long skills required of most students.

Existing internet-based systems allow the user to do one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   1) Display a lesson and then, through a series of selections,        see generically formatted state standards that relate to that        lesson OR    -   2) Query a search engine for a lesson or activity, which is        based on specific grade level and subject only and not        associated with any state standards OR    -   3) Submit lessons and activities to a database that is not        correlated to state standards or if they are it is, as an        adjunct to the process, rather than the key element of the        submission OR    -   4) View subject specific lessons OR    -   5) View selected standards that have aligned “for fee” resources

Accordingly there is a need in the art to provide educators withachievement tools (lessons, assessments and resources) correlated toeducational standards, in a convenient, easy to use form with multiple“achievement tools” easily added from diverse sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills this need in the art by providing anapparatus for assisting educators in selecting achievement tools for usein the education of students to meet an applicable one of a plurality ofsets of educational standards. A first table holds a plurality ofeducational standards and a plurality of keywords, at least selectedones of the keywords being linked to selected ones of the educationalstandards. A second table holds a plurality of achievement tools and aplurality of keywords, at least selected ones of the keywords beinglinked to selected ones of the achievement tools. A table manipulatorprogram permit an educator to select an educational standard andprovides the educator a set of achievement tools applicable to theselected educational standard by having a matching of keywords linked tothe achievement tools to keywords linked to the educational standards.

Preferably, the keywords include grade level indicators.

Typically, the achievement tools are selected from the group consistingof lesson plans, assessments and resources and more than one of them.

The educational standards may be defined by discrete jurisdictions toapply to educational processes within those jurisdictions. Preferably,when the educational standards of one jurisdiction have similarities tothe educational standards of a different jurisdiction, the keywords forsuch similar educational standards are the same.

Some of the achievement tools in the second table may be generated byeducators in diverse jurisdictions having differing educationalstandards. Preferably, when an educational tool is submitted by aneducator for an educational standard, keywords for that standard areautomatically associated with the submitted educational tool. However,the apparatus may include means that are provided for the revision ofkeywords to a submitted educational tool subsequent to submission.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a data entry means forpermitting a user of the apparatus to input a rating for achievementtools and for storage of the input rating for display in associationwith the rated educational tool.

Typically, the first table, second table and table manipulator programare provided to educators over the Internet. The apparatus may include auser interface that enables an administrator to select only educationalstandards pertinent to a user for use by the user. Preferably a userinterface enables a user to log in with a unique identifier, and theuser is provided only educational standards pertinent to that user. Inone embodiment, the educational standards are defined by discretejurisdictions to apply to educational processes within thosejurisdictions and the user interface enables a user to log in with aunique identifier indicating an affiliation with one of thejurisdictions and so that the user is provided only educationalstandards pertinent to that jurisdiction.

The apparatus may include an administrative system which allows theaddition and modification of local learning standards to the statestandards. The apparatus may include a lesson plan builder that containsdata entry fields, the ability to add active links to web sites and datafiles, searching features for appropriate standards, and an electronicrubric creator. The apparatus may include a search facility permittingsearching by grade, subject, by selecting from a predefined list ofkeywords or by typing in a word or phrase to be searched.

The invention also provides a method of assisting educators in selectingachievement tools for use in the education of students to meet anapplicable one of a plurality of sets of educational standards includinglinking a plurality of educational standards and a plurality ofkeywords, linking a plurality of achievement tools and a plurality ofkeywords, and linking educational standards to achievement tools bymatching keywords linked to the achievement tools to keywords linked tothe educational standards.

In the method, the achievement tools are typically selected from thegroup consisting of lesson plans, assessments and resources and morethan one of them. Typically, the educational standards are defined bydiscrete jurisdictions to apply to educational processes within thosejurisdictions. If the educational standards of one jurisdiction havesimilarities to the educational standards of a different jurisdictionand the keywords linked to similar educational standards may be thesame.

The method may include adding achievement tools generated by educatorsin diverse jurisdictions having differing educational standards. As aneducational tool is added by an educator for an educational standard,the method may include automatically linking keywords for that standardto the added educational tool. In addition, the method may includerevising the keywords to an added educational tool subsequent to itsaddition.

The method may also include rating achievement tools and storing ratingfor display in association with the rated educational tool.

Preferably, the linked educational standards and achievement tools aremade available over the Internet. A user may be allowed to log in with aunique identifier, and provided only educational standards pertinent tothat user.

Typically, the educational standards are defined by discretejurisdictions to apply to educational processes within thosejurisdictions. The method may enable a user to access the linkededucational standards and achievement tools with a unique identifierindicating an affiliation with one of the jurisdictions and filter theinformation provided to the user so that the user is provided onlyeducational standards pertinent to that jurisdiction.

The method may include adding to or modifying local learning standardsto the state standards.

The method may include building a lesson plan including adding activelinks to web sites and data files, searching features for appropriatestandards, and creating a rubric.

The method may also include searching the linked educational standardsand achievement tools including searching by grade, subject, byselecting from a predefined list of keywords or by typing in a word orphrase to be searched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by a reading of the DetailedDescription of the Examples of the Invention along with a review of thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the operability of the preferredembodiment as implemented on the Internet.

FIGS. 2-10 are flow charts of processing illustrating the use of thepreferred embodiment with screen shots, and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a database or table structure useful inthe invention.

FIG. 11 a is an Erwin schema diagram of the databases of FIG. 11,showing the field names and types.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the way the tables can be linked bycommonality of keywords.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The invention is most useful when implemented on a network, such as theInternet. As seen in FIG. 1, a server 18 accessible on the Internet 10is currently the best mode of practicing the invention. However, variousother distributed architectures could also be adopted. The Internet 10makes available to a plurality of teachers via their computers 24, 26and 28 information stored on the server 18. School district or otheradministrators may also access the server 18 over the Internet 10 tousing their respective computers 29. Others accessing the server 18include reviewers having their own computers 14 and experts with theircomputers 12. As depicted in FIG. 1, the computers are connected to theserver 18 over the Internet, but any other network configuration couldbe suitable including local area networks or the like. As bandwidthincreases, wireless applications may also ensue.

The various users access the system on the server 18 as a web page inconventional fashion, with links from another web page, using afavorites program, directly typing in a URL (Uniform Resource Locator),or the like.

Hardware and Software Requirements

The Applicant's commercial embodiment can be used with either a PC orMACINTOSH computer with an Internet connection and current Web browser.A modern of other Internet connection of at least 28.8 bps is required.For the Web Browser, MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER, version 5.0 (orhigher) or NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR, version 4.7 may be used. Other browsersmay be substituted. A minimum screen size of 800×600 is recommended.

In addition, software to open and use selected achievement tools may beneeded. For example, if an assessment tool is in PDF format, ADOBEACROBAT READER software may be needed.

FIG. 2 shows a Log In screen 30 available to a user such as teacher 24upon first encountering the web site. The user can enter his or her userid and password and submit this information to the server 18 forcomparison with stored user id and password information for the variousauthorized users on the system. Of course, conventional sign upprocedures to obtain such authorizations can be part of the system andare not included in this discussion for the sake of simplicity. Sign upand security procedures are well known and need no detailing here.Assuming a log in and identification is correct, the user is thendisplayed a search screen 40, which is shown in FIG. 3 along with flowchart information illustrating the use of the search screen.

Searching

As seen in FIG. 3 the Search screen 40 functions as a gateway to variousstate standards and associated lessons, assessments and resources.Lessons, assessments and resources are collectively referred to hereinas achievement tools. There are three basic methods for conducting asearch: 1) by typing grade and subject; 2) by selecting from apredefined list of keywords; or 3) by typing in a user-selected word orphrase. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, a user must select agrade and subject in order to conduct any search. This assists aneducator in finding material appropriate for his or her class level.

Searching by Grade and Subject

On the Search Page 40, a user may click on a drop down icon 41 next tothe Grade field to select a grade. Similarly, one may click on the dropdown icon 42 to choose a subject. If the user checks off the standardsbox 43, the search results will display standards that reflect the gradeand subject specified. There may be some states that do not havestandards for a specific subject or for every grade level.

If the user opts for Achievement Tools 44, the search results willdisplay the achievement tools for the grade and subject identified.Achievement tools are lessons, assessments or resources. Once the userhas completed the search criteria he or she may click on a Find Itbutton 45 to begin the search.

Searching by Keyword

Searching by Keyword allows a greater degree of refinement for a search.On the Search Page 40, the user clicks on the drop down icon 41 next tothe Grade field to select a grade. Similarly, a click on the drop downicon 42 permits a choice of subject in the Subject field. A similar dropdown icon 46 in the Discipline field permits selection of a disciplinewithin the subject, and a drop down icon 47 permit further refinement. Asearch term may also be entered in box 49. In the Keyword field 48, auser may select a keyword that most closely matches his or her specificquery. Not all topics contain keywords, so this field may be blank.Next, the user checks off the box for the results wanted: eitherstandards 43 or achievement tools 44 located on the right side of theSearch Page 40. If the user opts for Achievement Tools, the searchresults will display the achievement tools for the grade, subject andkeywords requested. The user Clicks on “Find It” 45 to begin the search.The searching algorithm checks for stored achievement tools labeled withfields matching the selected search criteria.

NOTE: Once the user has selected a grade and subject, the system resetsthe search before the user selects each subsequent search field. Duringthis time, the program automatically plugs in the relevant sublist forthe discipline, based on the grade and subject selected. If the userselects a discipline, the system provides a list of keywords (if thereare any) for completing the Keyword field. Once the data is indicated,the user may click on the “Find It” button 45 to signal to the server 18to prepare and display the search results, which are directed to theuser's computer 24. The display for the search results appears as screen50 seen in FIG. 4.

The screen 50 seen in FIG. 4 presents the user with a number of optionswhich are outlined in FIG. 4 in a flowchart form. The screen includes aheading at the top of the screen 50 identifying the pertinent schooldistrict of the user. This data is derived from profile informationabout the user stored at the server 18 and made available for displaywhen the user logs on with his or her unique user id. This data is alsoused to identify the appropriate state standard, or its refinement intoa localized standard applicable to the user's school district. In theevent that the search results turn up no standards pertinent to thesearch criteria, the user can click on “Back to Matrix Search” 53 toperform another search. If the user so selects, by clicking on “SearchAgain”, box 53, the user is returned to the screen 40 to begin a newsearch.

Assuming that search results are attained, they are displayed in thescreen 50 shown in FIG. 4. The top of the screen shows the grade andsubject, as well as discipline and topic, if appropriate, of the searchcriteria.

The standard found pertinent to the search criteria is displayed in theformat and wording of the user's applicable standard, in a box 54.

From this screen the user may also click a view all standard 56 and havedisplayed a list of all of the standards available for printing inflowchart box 57 (screen not shown).

If the user is having difficulty, he or she can click a help button 58and be displayed further detailed operating instructions using the loop58 a shown in FIG. 4.

The user may also scrutinize the standard which turned up a response tothe inquiry. There may be a number of such standards indicated at 59,and the user may view additional standards one by one, moving forwardlyand backwardly, using back and next keys 60 as reflected by loop 60 a.Whichever standard is displayed will also have displayed at the bottomarea 61 of the screen 50 selected ones of lessons, assessments, orresources associated with that standard. In the view depicted in FIG. 4,lessons appropriate to the standard are shown as a result of clicking onthe lesson tab 64. This then displays summaries 63 together with a link62 which would take the user to a new browser window displaying thelesson. Also included are rating information such as ICLE information(see below) in box 73. Alternatively, the user can click the “view alltools” button 65 and see all the achievement tools applicable to thestandard. Of course, the arrangement of the elements displayed in thescreen can vary widely from the specific display shown.

Also within the area 61 are tabs 66 and 67 permitting the display ofassessment 66 and resource information 67 comparable to the displayavailable for the lessons seen in FIG. 4. The flow of the program toactivate or use the resource, lesson or assessment is seen more clearlyin FIG. 5 signified in FIG. 4 as box 64 a.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the flow is shown by a user clicking on alesson 64, assessment 66, or resource 67 which causes the server to opena new browser window and display an external URL associated with thelesson, assessment or resource in box 61. FIG. 5 shows as an example theuser clicking on a lesson denominated as “equivalent fractions”described as “students use physical objects when they are introduced tothe concept of equivalent fractions.” When the user thus is linked tothe external URL, the facilities, capabilities and information availableat that URL are displayed at the user's computer for use, as seen in box69. When the user wishes to return to the program, he or she may closeout of the new browser window 70 to return to the search result. He orshe can then back key more to return to the search results.

ICLE Ranking of Standards

When the user selects the lowest level associated with a standard, anICLE ranking will display for the tested grade levels in the user'sstate in math, science and English/language arts. The InternationalCenter for Leadership in Education (ICLE) has prioritized standards attested grade levels as they relate to occurrence on state tests and theessential skills needed after graduation. A “high”, “medium” or “low” onSURVEY indicates the priority of 35 skills most important for the highschool graduate. A “high,” “medium” or “low” on TEST indicates thelikelihood of a standard being addressed on the state test. A “high”,“medium” or “low” on PRIORITY is the combination of these two rankings.

SURVEY: The International Center for Leadership in Education developedand conducted the Curriculum Survey of Essential Skills. Over 20,000teachers, administrators, other educators, business representatives andcommunity members have participated. ICLE reviewed state academicstandards from across the United States and developed a “topic statementlist” for English/language arts, science and mathematics. There areapproximately 100 topic statements for each instructional area. Thesurveyed participants were asked to identify the 35 topic statementsthey thought were the most important for a high school graduate. A“high” score means the Curriculum Survey participants, making it a highcommunity expectation, ranked that standard in the top ⅓ of theEssential Skills. A “medium” ranking means the Curriculum Surveyparticipants ranked the standard in the middle third of the EssentialSkills. A “low” ranking means that standard was ranked in the bottomthird of the Essential Skills by the Curriculum Survey participants.TEST: Some states have a very close connection between their statestandards and their state assessments. In other states, less than 30% ofthe state standards are assessed. When educators are told the statestandards are all a priority, then none become a priority. The TESTranking assists educators to identify the high priority state standardsand offer associated instructional material for the teacher. A “high”ranking means there is a high probability that several questions thatrelate to this standard will appear on the state assessment. A “medium”means that one question that relates to this standard may appear on thestate test. A “low” means that no questions relating to the standardwere found on the test.PRIORITY: This field averages the state assessment correlation (“high,”“medium,” “low”) with the Curriculum Survey of Essential Skills nationaldata to identify an overall priority for the specific learning targetassociated with a standard. A high priority indicates there will likelybe several questions on the state assessment that relate to the standardand it has been ranked in the top ⅓ Essential Skills by the CurriculumSurvey participants. A medium priority indicates there will likely be atleast one question on the state assessment that relate to the standardand is not matched to the Essential Skills. A low priority means therewill not likely be a question on the state assessment that relate to thestandard and is ranked in the bottom third of the Essential Skills bythe Curriculum Survey participants. More information about theInternational Center for Leadership in Education may be found atdagget.com on the internet.

Other Ranking Criteria and Authorities May be Substituted.

Access to information about the ICLE ranking of a standard is set forthat item 73 on the screen 50 as seen in FIG. 4. The clicking on theEssential Skills Rating “view rating” button 71 then leads to display 72showing the essential skills rankings for the depicted standard, takingthe operation through loop 71 a as seen in FIG. 4 and amplified in FIG.6. Alternatively, if user clicks on “Explain ICLE Scale” 73, he or sheis shown the screen 74 depicted on FIG. 6 giving the appropriatedefinitions. From screen 72 or 74, the user may click his or her backbutton to return to the search result screen.

Returning again to FIG. 4, if the user clicks on the “create a lesson”80 shown as flow chart box 80 a, he or she is shown a screen 82, as seenin FIG. 9. Alternatively, if the user is in the assessments mode andclicks a comparable button, he or she is taken a similar screen forcreating assessments. If at either screen, the user wants to return tothe screen 50, he or she merely clicks on the search results button atthe top of the screen 82. The screen 82 shows the applicable standard towhich the submitted lesson, resource or assessment is to be linked anddata entry blocks throughout the screen 82 to permit the entry of ashort title and summary of the linked lesson, resource or assessment, aswell as an indication of the applicable grade levels. The user alsocompletes all the appropriate fields in the creation of the lesson orassessment achievement tool. A user can click on a preview button 87,which provides a preview screen 88 that provides the user with theopportunity to edit the screen (step 89 a). Alternatively, if the useris happy with the display on the screen 88, the user may click thesubmit button 90 to submit the link lesson or assessment. If there areerrors in the submitted screen, the system can evaluate the submissionin box 90 a and prompt user to complete any needed fields. If there areno errors, the system shows the submitter a thank you screen in box 102a and returns the user to the screen shown in FIG. 4.

The user may also submit a preexisting Achievement Tool for a standardby use of loop 91 a as seen in FIG. 4, which triggers the sequence seenin FIG. 8. If the user clicks on the “submit a link” button 91 shown asflow chart box 91 a, he or she is shown a screen 92, as seen in FIG. 8.The screen 92 shows the applicable standard to which the submittedlesson, resource or assessment is to be linked and data entry blocksthroughout the screen 92 to permit the entry of a short title andsummary of the linked lesson, resource or assessment, as well as anindication of the applicable grade levels. The user also completes allthe appropriate fields in the submission of a link to a lesson,assessment or resource achievement tool. The user may click the submitbutton 92 a to submit the link lesson or assessment. If there are errorsin the submitted screen, the system can evaluate the submission in box93 and prompt user to complete any needed fields. If there are noerrors, the system shows the submitter a thank you screen in box 94 andreturns the user to the screen shown in FIG. 4.

As can be appreciated, because a standard has been associated with thesubmitted lesson, resource or assessment (whether through loop 91 a or80 a), the server 18 may automatically store in a database theappropriate pointers to the lesson, resource in the assessment link,together with the keywords, grade and subject of the linked standard.Therefore, the keywords are then associated with the submitted lesson,resource or assessment link. The commonality of such keywords with anyother standard can cause an association of the submitted lesson,resource or assessment with any such other common keyword standard.

Alternatively, the automatically linked keywords of the standard can beconsidered a “first draft” of the keywords, which are then reviewed byexperts such as those at computer 12, who have the authorization levelto add, delete or modify the keywords for the submitted lesson,assessment or resource. Alternatively, and preferably, if the expertsdeem that the submitted lesson, resource or assessment is inappropriate,it can be de-linked altogether.

The system also permits the user to rate an achievement tool in a step103 a shown in FIG. 4. This presents user with a screen 104 as seen inFIG. 7. The user can rate item with 1 to 5 stars and add comments in thetext box and submit, using the submit button 105 shown as being clickedin flow box 105 a.

How it Works

The preferred embodiment presents each state's standards with the samestructure and wording used by that state. Each standard is associatedwith related lesson plans, assessments and resources, as seen in theabbreviated database schema of FIG. 11. The fields of the databases areidentified in the full Erwin Schema of FIG. 11 a. As seen in FIG. 11,the databases or tables are grouped as “security”, “standards,”“keywords,” “grades,” “assessments”, “resources” and “lesson plans.” The“security” group identifies and provides information about permittedusers and their access levels. The “standards” group lists thestandards, and keywords and grades associated with each, as well aslinks to the ICLE data and ranks. The “grades” group links the standardsto appropriate assessments, lesson plans or resources when the gradematching is successful. The “keywords” group links the standards toappropriate assessments, lesson plans or resources when the keywordmatching is successful. In the preferred embodiment, both keyword andgrade matching must be successful to make a link. The “assessments”,“resources” and “lesson plans” groups are analogously arranged to oneanother providing associated keywords and grades to permit matching asindicated. They also include the substantive information needed to makelinks and provide the data displays indicated herein. Parent and childdatabase relationships are indicated by the legend in the lower left ofFIG. 11.

A flexible array of search options allows teachers to hone in on theprecise topic, level and tools they need. Local administrators cancustomize the data bank of standards and associated lesson plans,assessments and resources to reflect local curriculum requirements withhigher level of editing access accorded users of such computers 29.Local administrators and individual teachers can also add lesson plans,assessments or resources to the system and rate the quality of existingresources.

The collected standards, resources, assessments and lesson plans arecontinually updated through input from local teachers and subjectmanagers and through frequent additions from content developers. Thisgives teachers a local framework and orientation to curriculum whileexposing them to national resources to supplement their teaching.

Benefits for Teachers

Teachers gain invaluable benefits from using the system, including theability to:

-   -   Save time and increase productivity through one-stop access to        standards and instructional tools.    -   Correlate their curriculum to state and local standards.    -   Clarify their understanding of state standards by viewing lesson        examples.    -   Streamline classroom preparation by finding lessons and        resources that meet state requirements.    -   Access assessments that are aligned with state standards.    -   Incorporate additional resources into their existing lesson        plans.    -   Contribute their own lesson plans, assessments and resources.        Benefits for Parents and Students        Applicant's commercial embodiment gives parents and students the        ability to:    -   Identify state instructional standards.    -   Understand the age-appropriate developmental requirements and        sequencing for their children's education.    -   Access lessons and resources that help in the completion of        homework assignments.    -   Tap into resources for independent study.        Benefits for Administrators        District superintendents, curriculum directors and other school        administrators are provided for the ability to:    -   Aggregate the highest quality educational materials from trusted        and reliable sources.    -   Provide teachers with tools that can help individualize        instruction.    -   Align curriculum and materials to state and local academic        standards.    -   Improve performance and ease test anxiety on state assessments        using appropriate assessment tools.    -   Customize curriculum and lesson plans to meet the needs of        individual classrooms.    -   Increase local community awareness and participation in building        and sustaining successful schools.    -   Provide prioritization of standards to assist in teacher        evaluation and understanding of state assessments.

The Applicant's commercial embodiment is a web-based educationalproduct, which provides a framework for the correlation of lessons,resources and assessments to state standards. The technology that drivethis framework is comprised of 1) a database to house content; 2) JAVAprogramming which provides the code to initiate and complete operations;3) a unique keyboard system which “tags” lessons, resources andassessments that are available on the Internet to state standards; and4) HTML code to display the data in a user-friendly format, such as thescreens depicted in the drawings.

The system employs a keyword system, which enables the correlation oflessons, resources, and assessments (Achievement Tools) to StateStandards. Each subject has a master list of keywords, and a unique codehas been established for that keyword. For example the following tableexhibits keywords related to various science disciplines and topics:

SC100 Science Life Science Biology DNA SC101 Science Life ScienceBiology Fish SC102 Science Life Science Biology Kingdom ClassificationTaxonomy SC103 Science Life Science Biology Genetics SC259 Science LifeScience Biology General SC104 Science Life Science Biology Health SC105Science Life Science Biology Heredity SC106 Science Life Science BiologyHuman Body SC107 Science Life Science Biology InsectsEvery state standard and all associated levels is “tagged” with thecode: i.e. 7^(th) Grade Washington State Science Standard:1.2.9. Molecular basis of heredity: Understand that all living thingsreproduce and pass on genetic information, and that an organism'scharacteristics are determined by both genetic and environmentalinfluences. SC103 SC105and7^(th) Grade California State Science Standard:2.d. Students know plant and animal cells contain many thousands ofdifferent genes and typically have two copies of every gene. The twocopies (or alleles) of the gene may or may not be identical, and one maybe dominant in determining the phenotype while the other is recessive.SC103

Lessons, assessments and resources which are entered into the databaseor table and associated with a standard level will also display for ANYstate standard which has the same keyword code. i.e. If a lesson isposted to 7^(th) Grade Washington 1.2.9 Science standard with keywordtag SC103, this lesson will also display for California 7 ^(th) GradeScience standard 2.d which has the same keyword tag, namely SC103.

Thus, as seen in FIG. 12 the standards are stored in databasesidentifying the state, locality, grade, and subject along with a set ofkeyword tags. A separate database or table can exist having the variousAchievement Tools, namely lesson, assessments and resources, alsoidentified with the appropriate keywords (including subject, disciplineand topic). Then, when it is desired to display all of the lessons for aparticular state standard, the keywords for the state standard are usedto select from the database of Achievement Tools the lessons that shareat least one keyword with the standard. Alternatively, if resources orassessments are desired, those matching the same keyword can bedisplayed and made available. A given Achievement Tool may be identifiedwith keywords that appear in different subject hierarchies.

The system can also be operated in the reverse, such that if anachievement tool is the starting place of inquiry, the keyword for thatachievement tool can be used as a certain criteria in the state standardto identify associated standard, identified as being pertinent by thecommonality of the keyword. However, the selection of the achievementtool from state standards is likely to be the more common use.

Other key functional features of The Applicant's commercial embodimentare:

-   -   1. The Applicant's commercial embodiment is designed to work as        a single database for all 49 states.    -   2. The User ID is associated with a specific state, which        ensures display of the correct standards upon login. In        addition, the User ID associates the user with a specific        locality for Applicant's commercial embodiment    -   3 JAVA programming and HTML code provides the instruction to        display the state standards with the same structure and wording        used by the state    -   4. Applicant's commercial embodiment has an administrative        system which allows the addition and modification of local        learning standards to the state standards    -   5. Any user may add lessons and resources to the database.    -   6. Any lesson, resource or assessment may display on all users        computers if approved by an administrator at computer 14.    -   7. Standards and associated levels include a ranking of High,        Medium or Low, which has been determined by professional        educators at the International Center for Leadership in        Education at, for example, computer 12.    -   8. State standards and levels may be updated or changed by an        administrator at computer 14 who has the ability to edit any        keyword tags associated with that standard    -   9. Lessons, resources and assessments may display        “cross-curricular” use and correlate to standards in multiple        subject areas.

The applicant's commercial embodiment presents the standards in the sameformat and wording used by the state, and includes state-specificbreakdowns, such as learning objectives and performance indicators.

To allow even further localization of the applicant's commercialembodiment, district administrators may be provide the ability to modifyand add to the set of existing state standards with higher level accessat computers 29. In addition, local managers can customize it by addingother standards or specifying more detailed goals directly related tothe state standards.

Applicant's commercial embodiment includes simple online templates suchas screens 92 (FIG. 9) that allow educators to create and uploadoriginal lesson plans and assessment tools, such as rubrics. Thisflexible system also allows submission of links to existing Internetbased materials such as at screen 92, FIG. 8. When educators addmaterials, these items are automatically correlated and cross-referencedto all state standards, and are added to the database of resources fromwhich users draw search results.

The applicant's commercial embodiment offers three methods forconducting a search: by typing grade or subject, by selecting from apredefined list of keywords or by typing in a word or phrase. Once usershave entered their search criteria, they can search for standards orlesson plans, achievement tools, and Web resources. Each of these itemsis linked to standards. In addition, the applicant's commercialembodiment allows you to opt “View All Standards,” a feature thatgenerates a Web page that lists all standards associated with the gradelevel and subject matter specified in your search criteria.

The Applicant's commercial embodiment database is POSTGRES, SQL 92compliant, which is transferable to an ORACLE environment. POSTGRESSOLis a sophisticated Object-Relational DBMS, supporting almost all SQLconstructs, including subselects, transactions, and user-defined typesand functions. The Applicant's commercial embodiment may also bemigrated to other technologies such as MICROSOFT SQL server, which willallow greater flexibility in the marketplace.

GLOSSARY

As used herein, the following terms are defined as noted:

Achievement Tools: Lessons, assessments and resources, which relatedirectly to a specific standard on the database.

Assessment: An instrument to evaluate learning such as a test, portfolioor teacher-generated essay.

Browser: Short for Web browser, this is the software that allows a userto view Web pages and surf the World Wide Web. The most popular WebGrowers are NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR and MICROSOFT'S INTERNET EXPLORERprograms.

Local Administrator: The person designated by the school/school districtto be responsible for the overall management of localized refinements ofthe database and state standards.

Subject Managers: Local educators designated by a Local Administrator toreview lessons, assessments and resources about specific topicssubmitted by users.

ICLE: The International Center for Leadership in Education based inAlbany, New York. This organization has developed a survey instrument,which ranks the importance of specific state standards and theirrelationship to the state test. ICLE has also developed a framework toevaluate the rigor and relevance of an Achievement Tool.Keyword: A meaningful word or phrase that can be used to search thedatabase.Lesson: A set of procedures to teach a specific unit of study. Generallya lesson will include step-by-step procedures, assessment, materials andteacher notes.Link Submission Form: The form that you use to submit a lesson,assessment or resource relating to a specific academic standard to thedatabase.Login: The process of typing in a User ID and Password to access thesystem.Rank: The assigned importance of a standard based on the ICLE essentialskills survey and the ICLE probability with relationship to the statetest.Rating: A star rating from one to five stars that a user assigns to alesson, resource or assessment on the database. Star ratings reflect theoverall quality of the link. A user can submit a rating for anindividual achievement tool by using the Rate This Item button,available from the Search Results page.Resource: A link to a Web site to help a teacher meet a specificstandard.The preferred embodiment has the following attributes:

-   -   1) The preferred embodiment not only displays lessons but also        supplemental Internet resources and Assessments correlated to        standards    -   2) The interface enables the user to get to information far more        efficiently than other systems    -   3) Lessons, resources and assessments submitted by a user are        directly correlated to relevant standards    -   4) Any local lesson, resource or assessment submitted by a user        and approved by the Local Administrator is displayed at the top        of the search results    -   5) The user has the ability to select either a standards-based        search or an Achievement Tools Search not just one or the other

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon reading the foregoing description. It should be understoodthat all such modifications and improvements have been omitted for thesake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scopeof the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for assisting educators in selectingachievement tools for use in the education of students to meet anapplicable one of a plurality of sets of educational standardscomprising: a plurality of predetermined keywords stored in memory; aplurality of educational standards that are stored in memory and definedby discrete jurisdictions to apply to educational processes within thosejurisdictions, wherein each of the plurality of educational standardshas assigned thereto at least selected ones of the plurality ofpredetermined keywords and the assignments of predetermined keywords tothe educational standards are stored in memory; a plurality ofachievement tools stored in memory, wherein each of the plurality ofachievement tools has assigned thereto at least selected ones of theplurality of predetermined keywords and the assignments of predeterminedkeywords to achievement tools are stored in memory; a program stored inmemory adapted to permit an educator to select an educational standardand to provide to the educator a set of achievement tools applicable tothe selected educational standard by identifying each achievement toolhaving at least one predetermined keyword in the at least selected onesof the plurality of predetermined keywords assigned to the achievementtool that is also within the at least selected ones of the plurality ofpredetermined keywords assigned to the selected educational standard;wherein a jurisdiction also corresponds to a geographic region; whereinthe plurality of educational standards are identified in memory byjurisdiction and include at least one educational standard for at leasttwo jurisdictions; wherein the apparatus maintains, across all users,centralized storage of the plurality of predetermined keywords, theplurality of educational standards, and the plurality of achievementtools and is accessible to users over a network; and wherein theeducational standards are defined by states to apply to educationalprocesses within those states.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein achievement tools are selected from the group consisting of oneor more of lesson plans, assessments and resources.
 3. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the educational standards of one jurisdictionhave similarities to the educational standards of a differentjurisdiction and the keywords assigned to such similar educationalstandards are the same.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereinsome achievement tools are generated by educators in diversejurisdictions having differing educational standards and stored inmemory with the plurality of achievement tools.
 5. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 4 wherein as an educational tool is submitted by aneducator for an educational standard, keywords assigned to that standardare automatically also assigned to the submitted educational tool.
 6. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein means are provided for revisingthe keywords assigned to a submitted educational tool subsequent tosubmission.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adata entry means for permitting a user of the apparatus to input arating for achievement tools and for storage of the input rating fordisplay in association with the rated educational tool.
 8. An apparatusas claimed in claim 1 further comprising a website user interface forenabling a user to access the apparatus over the network.
 9. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface thatenables an administrator to select only educational standards pertinentto a user for use by the user.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1further comprising a user interface that enables a user to log in with aunique identifier, and filtering so that the user is provided onlyeducational standards pertinent to that user.
 11. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface that enables auser to log in with a unique identifier indicating an affiliation withone of the jurisdictions and filtering so that the user is provided onlyeducational standards pertinent to that jurisdiction.
 12. An apparatusas claimed in claim 1 further comprising an administrative system whichallows the addition and modification of local learning standards to theeducational standards.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a lesson plan builder that contains data entry fields, theability to add active links to web sites and data files, searchingfeatures for appropriate standards, and an electronic rubric creator.14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a searchfacility permitting searching by grade, subject, by selecting from apredefined list of keywords or by typing in a word or phrase to besearched.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the keywordsinclude grade level indicators.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 1wherein the educational standards of one jurisdiction have similaritiesto the educational standards of a different jurisdiction and thekeywords associated with similar educational standards are the same. 17.An apparatus for assisting educators in selecting achievement tools foruse in the education of students to meet an applicable one of aplurality of sets of educational standards comprising: a plurality ofpredetermined keywords stored in memory; a plurality of educationalstandards defined by discrete jurisdictions to apply to educationalprocesses within those jurisdictions that are stored in memory, each ofthe plurality of educational standards having assigned thereto at leastselected ones of the plurality of predetermined keywords stored inmemory, wherein the educational standards of one jurisdiction havesimilarities to the educational standards of a different jurisdictionand the keywords for such similar educational standards are the same; aplurality of achievement tools, stored in memory, selected from thegroup consisting of one or more of lesson plans, assessments andresources, each of the plurality of achievement tools having assignedthereto at least selected ones of the plurality of predeterminedkeywords; wherein at least some of the plurality of predeterminedkeywords include grade level indicators; a manipulator program stored inmemory and adapted to permit an educator to select an educationalstandard and to provide to the educator a set of achievement toolsapplicable to the selected educational standard by identifying eachachievement tool having at least one keyword in the at least selectedones of the plurality of predetermined keywords assigned to theachievement tool that is also within the at least selected ones of theplurality of predetermined keywords assigned to the selected educationalstandard and having a website user interface for enabling a user to login with a unique identifier indicating an affiliation with one of thejurisdictions and filtering so that the user is provided onlyeducational standards pertinent to that jurisdiction; wherein theassignments of predetermined to keywords to educational standards andthe assignments of predetermined keywords to achievement tools arestored in memory; wherein a jurisdiction also corresponds to ageographic region; wherein the plurality of educational standards areidentified in memory by jurisdiction and include at least oneeducational standard for at least two jurisdictions; and wherein theapparatus maintains, across all users, centralized storage of theplurality of predetermined keywords, the plurality of educationalstandards, and the plurality of achievement tools and is accessible tousers over a network.
 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 whereinsome achievement tools are generated by educators in diversejurisdictions having differing educational standards and are stored inmemory with the plurality of achievement tools, when an educational toolis submitted by an educator for an educational standard, keywords forthat standard are automatically assigned to the submitted educationaltool, and means are provided for revising the keywords to a submittededucational tool subsequent to submission.
 19. A computer-implementedmethod of assisting educators in selecting achievement tools for use inthe education of students to meet an applicable one of a plurality ofsets of educational standards comprising: storing in a computer readablestorage medium an assignment of selected ones of a plurality ofpredetermined keywords to each of a plurality of educational standardsdefined by discrete jurisdictions to apply to educational processeswithin those jurisdictions; storing in the computer readable storagemedium an assignment of selected ones of the plurality of predeterminedkeywords to each of a plurality of achievement tools; associating with acomputing device educational standards with achievement tools byidentifying, for each of the plurality of educational standards, eachachievement tool having at least one predetermined keyword in theselected ones of the plurality of keywords assigned to the achievementtool that is also within the selected ones of the plurality of keywordsassigned to the educational standard; wherein a jurisdiction alsocorresponds to a geographic region; wherein the plurality of educationalstandards are identified in the computer readable storage medium byjurisdiction and include at least one educational standard for at leasttwo jurisdictions; and wherein the computer readable storage mediumcontains, across all users, centralized storage of the plurality ofpredetermined keywords, the plurality of educational standards, and theplurality of achievement tools and is accessible to users over anetwork.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein achievement toolsare selected from the group consisting of one or more of lesson plans,assessments and resources.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 19 furthercomprising adding achievement tools generated by educators in diversejurisdictions having differing educational standards and storing theadded achievement tools in the computer readable storage medium with theplurality of achievement tools.
 22. A method as claimed in claim 21further comprising as an educational tool is added by an educator for aneducational standard, automatically associating keywords for thatstandard with the added educational tool.
 23. A method as claimed inclaim 22 further comprising revising the keywords to an addededucational tool subsequent to its addition.
 24. A method as claimed inclaim 19 further comprising rating achievement tools and storing ratingfor display in association with the rated educational tool.
 25. A methodas claimed in claim 19 further comprising making the associatededucational standards and achievement tools available over the Internet.26. A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising permitting a userto log in with a unique identifier, and filtering so that the user isprovided only educational standards pertinent to that user.
 27. A methodas claimed in claim 19 further comprising selecting only educationalstandards pertinent to a user for use by the user.
 28. A method asclaimed in claim 19 further comprising enabling a user to access theassociated educational standards and achievement tools with a uniqueidentifier indicating an affiliation with one of the jurisdictions andfiltering so that the user is provided only educational standardspertinent to that jurisdiction.
 29. A method as claimed in claim 19further comprising adding to or modifying local learning standards tothe educational standards.
 30. A method as claimed in claim 19 furthercomprising building a lesson plan including adding active links to websites and data files, searching features for appropriate standards, andcreating a rubric.
 31. A method as claimed in claim 19 furthercomprising searching the associated educational standards andachievement tools including searching by grade, subject, by selectingfrom a predefined list of keywords or by typing in a word or phrase tobe searched.
 32. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the keywordsinclude grade level indicators.